title: Thyroid function in 44 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: In an endemic goiter area of West Germany (incidence of goiter, 19% to 32%), thyroid function was evaluated in 44 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with radioimmunoassay of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroxine-binding globulin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, including the protirelin stimulation test. The presence of circulating anti-thyroid antibodies was sought by hemagglutination techniques. All patients were found to be euthyroid and thyroid antibody-negative. Clinical examination disclosed concomitant goiter in 36% (16/44). The data suggest that thyroid status is not relevant to the pathogenesis of ALS.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin